Legendary Bollywood actor, Dharmendra Krishan Deol, has died in Mumbai at the age of 89, closing a significant chapter in Indian cinema.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, announced the actor’s passing on his X handle on Monday, describing it as “the end of an era” and praising Dharmendra’s immense contributions to the film industry.
Dharmendra, fondly remembered as one of India’s most versatile and beloved film stars, featured in more than 300 movies across a distinguished career that spanned over six decades. He was best known for playing Veeru in the iconic 1975 blockbuster Sholay, a role that cemented his status as a household name.
Born on Dec. 8, 1935, in Ludhiana, Punjab, Dharmendra rose from humble beginnings. After winning a national talent contest, he moved to Bombay, where he made his acting debut in 1960. His breakthrough role came in Bimal Roy’s Bandini in 1963, setting the stage for a career filled with critical acclaim and commercial success.
Often hailed as Bollywood’s “original He-Man,” Dharmendra gained admiration for his charisma and physical presence, earning widespread praise from fans and colleagues. His onscreen partnership with actress Hema Malini became one of Bollywood’s most celebrated pairings. The two later married in 1980.
Among his notable films are Phool Aur Patthar, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and the hit comedy Chupke Chupke, which showcased his range across action, romance, drama and humour.
Despite never holding the industry’s top spot at any single time, Dharmendra remained one of Bollywood’s most respected and enduring actors. His accolades include the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and India’s prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 2012.
